Home>
Ministries>
The Pastor Nathaniel's Blog>
The Pastor's Blog Archives>
Pastor's Blog Archives. 2020>
Pastor's Blog December 10, 2020
"Rejoicing in the Lord VI"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
Did you know there are three basic experiences of joy in the Christian life? In "Steps to Christ," Ellen discusses all three.
First, she highlights the fact that Christians can have joy in this life: "even here Christians may have the joy of communion with Christ; they may have the light of His love, the perpetual comfort of His presence" (89; 1977 edition). Whatever you are currently going through, friendship with Jesus and being the object of his love and affection is a gift that God wants to bestow on you throughout the entirety of your life (89).
Second, she moves on to examining joy in the end times. "We cannot but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but we may look on what is past as well as on what is to come" and know that the Lord will continue to be with us through it all (89). Discussion of end time events can be frightening or intimidating for some people, but everyone can rest assured that Christians will experience just as much joy and just as much of Jesus' presence at the end of earth's history as they are able to experience right now (89).
Finally, the unending joy of the redeemed will be heavenly and eternal - not only a place of bliss and peace, but primarily a realm of inexhaustible joy; there love reigns supreme and all the ransomed of earth and the angels of heaven will rejoice in holiness and enjoy the presence of God and each other (89-90). Such joy is almost indescribable, but we know that "the moral beauty, the perfection of His [Jesus'] character," will be the cause of the joy of those whom Jesus has saved (90). In light of this threefold description of joy, how can we experience more of this grace right here and now? The answer is found in remembering what Jesus has done for us: "Let us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer" (89). T
hese pillars are our life events: times when the Lord has intervened in your life and made his presence and love known to you. As you call to mind all the ways Jesus has loved you, rescued you from sin, transformed you into his likeness, and called you into deeper and more intimate fellowship with himself, you will find your joy complete in him.
Friends, take delight in Jesus and enjoy him.
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
